Tips to Creating Your Own
Cover Letter Template
Using a cover letter template when job hunting is a
logical and time saving measure. Your time is limited, so
writing one basic one and using it as your template will
simplify the application process, making you more efficient
and hopefully employed all that much faster.
A basic template can be either bulleted – sometimes
called an Executive Summary – or in paragraph form. The
paragraph form of cover letter template is more traditional
and preferred by many for the neat appearance it presents.
Since hiring managers are busy however, the bulleted format
does have advantages. This cover letter template allows you
to make quick changes in the emphasis you are placing on
your skills in case there is more than one type of job for
which you are applying.
A good bulleted template will begin with the date,
address and salutation. Then it should reference the
position applied for. Open the template itself with a short
paragraph highlighting your primary qualification, such as
years of experience, and state that you can make a strong
contribution to the company. Then back up what you’ve said
with at least two bullet point paragraphs, each listing some
of the key qualifications that your resume lists. You’ve
heard the old saying “tell them what you are going to tell
them, tell them, and then tell them what you told them.”
This is the place for that.
Your last paragraph should be upbeat and point out that
you can make valuable contributions to the organization,
list your contact phone number again, and thank the reader
for his or her time.
A good template emphasizes the contributions the
applicant can make to the prospective employer. Employers
don’t really care about what you want, they care about what
you can do for them, and your cover letter template and
resume should reflect that truth.
An alternative to the bulleted template is the standard
paragraph formatted cover letter template. It begins as the
bulleted one does, with the date, salutation and standard
formal correspondence protocols. It will then have three or
four paragraphs in block format that point out your years of
experience, education and other qualifications in the first
paragraph, followed by the second paragraph where you state
your desire to join the organization. The third paragraph
should go into more detail concerning experience and
qualifications. For instance, stating that your skills are
in personnel supervision, or in operations management. List
a recent accomplishment in this paragraph to back up your
earlier words. In the last paragraph point out the obvious –
it never hurts. Let the reader know that your resume is
enclosed and you would like to meet with him soon to
exchange ideas. State that you will call him in the next few
days if you feel it appropriate, otherwise restate your
contact phone number and email address and your availability
to meet. End it with your signature and the word
“enclosure”.
This cover letter template also emphasizes what the
applicant can do for the company by citing experience. If
you follow either of these listed here you should have good
success.
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Heather Eagar
Are you guilty of sabotaging your own job search along
with the opportunity to earn more money? Heather Eagar, a
former professional resume writer and creator of
ResumeLines.com, provides reviews of the top resume writing
services (www.resumelines.com) that put you in charge of
your career so you can get the job you deserve. Sign-up for
your free Job Search Tips E-Course (www.resumelines.com/ecourse).
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